Objective: Because of the desirable cerebral effects of propofol, it is the preferred agent for neurosurgical operations. But it can also lead to increments of the lipid levels in the patients who are sedated with propofol for prolonged durations. Our aim was to determine the effect of intraoperative propofol infusion on serum lipid levels.
Material and methods: Twelve patients (18-65 years of age) undergoing craniotomy operation were anesthetized with total intravenous technique using propofol, alfentanil and vecuronium bromide infusions while inhaling a mixture of 30 % 02 and 70 % N20.
Blood samples were taken before the induction of anesthesia, two hours after the induction and on postoperative 8th and 24th hours to measure the serum cholesterol, TG, HDL, VLDL and LDL levels.
Results: Comparing with the control values, serum cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in the peroperative 2nd hour, postoperative 8th and 24th hours. Serum LDL levels were also significantly decreased in the postoperative 8th and 24th hours. TG and VLDL levels were significantly increased during propofol infusion in the intraoperative 2nd hour and decreased back to the control values after infusion. Serum HDL levels was not changed significantly in all measurements.
Conclusion: As a conclusion, propofol in total intravenous anesthesia can be used safely even though there are temporary changes in serum lipid levels. But still, it should be used cautiously for the patients thought to be at particular risk of lipid overload.
Key words: Neuroanesthesia, propofol, serum lipid levels.
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